(Northern) Goshawk

The Goshawk is a well-built hawk that is widespread but scarce and
elusive bird that is usually found in woodlands.

They look like a large
Sparrowhawk, but in fact the female Goshawk is about the size of a Buzzard
and the male Goshawk is slightly bigger than a female Sparrowhawk.

Both
sexes have close horizontally barred underparts and a broadly barred
grey tail. The broad whitish eyebrows (supercilia) and piercing orange-yellow
eyes make the Goshawk evil-looking. The cere (flesh at the base of the
bill) is greenish-yellow and the legs are yellow.

The male (or tercel) is smaller than the
female and has a dark patch behind the eye that makes it appear even more
fearsome. The female (or falcon) is browner than the male and is the heaviest bird of the genus Accipiter.

Juveniles are paler and browner, with teardrop marks on its underparts and greenish
eyes.

Voice

Feeding

Their food is mainly medium-sized birds, such as Wood
Pigeons, Pheasants and even
Kestrels, mammals, such as rabbits and squirrels, and amphibians and
reptiles.

The attack is usually similar to that of the Sparrowhawk - waiting in cover
to launch a surprise attack involving a fast chase over a short distance - but
will also dive like a Peregrine.

Nesting

Goshawks nest high up in trees and it is the male that does the
building. The nest is an untidy construction of twigs lined with bark.

The eggs are about 59 mm by 44 mm, smooth and non-glossy, and pale
bluish-white. Incubation is by the female only. Both adults feed the young
birds, though the newly-hatched are usually fed by the female with the male
hunting and bringing the food to the nest.

Breeding Starts

Clutches

Eggs

Incubation (days)

Fledge (days)

April

1

1-5

35-38

35-40

Movements

Apart from juveniles dispersing from their natal sites in late summer,
Goshawks are sedentary.

Conservation

The Goshawk is slowly expanding its range, helped by management of forests,
but despite being specially protected throughout the year it remains one of
our most persecuted birds of prey.